Hastings Will Remember Them

This morning Hastings held it’s Remembrance Day parade and ceremony, which started in town and concluded at the war memorial in Alexandra Park. Groups consisting of Standard bearers, Sea Cadets, Girl Guides, Scouts, soldiers and veterans gathered at different points throughout town and then met up to walk to the memorial in a single procession. Hundreds of people attended the ceremony, including councillors and Hastings Mayor Cllr Bruce Dowling, to pay respect to the fallen. Wreaths were laid on the monument followed by a traditional two minutes silence. A Festival of Remembrance will be held at the White Rock Theatre from 6pm – 9pm.

Costa Coffee also held a two minutes silence where both staff and customers came to a standstill. Jon McTaggart, a barista at the Hastings branch, said that the experience was “eerie but humbling”.

Armistice day is on the 11th November and there will be a small service at 11am held by the Royal British Legion in Priory Meadow to mark the official day of remembrance.

Fighting in World War One ended on the 11th November 1918 when an armistice, signed by the Allied nations and Germany to temporarily cease hostilities, came into effect. In 1919 President Wilson declared November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day, and since then we have held ceremonies and parades on this day to remember those who died whilst fighting in World War One. Recently, Remembrance Sunday has been used to remember all lost soldiers who have died during all wars including Afghanistan and Iraq.

On Saturday the 8th November the wreaths that were placed on the war memorial will be moved to Hero’s Corner at Hastings Cemetery. A well deserved resting place in memory of the fallen soldiers.